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Summary: Iron Coffins
Review: Im a submarine buff and have read numerous historical accounts of WWII sub warefare. This is probably the best in terms of readability. The author was a sub catain at the end of the war when few made it back from patrol. Truly an amazing story of survival and dedication to duty. You will enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: The real Das Boot
Review: What an amazing book! It's fascinating to see World War II from the perspective of the other side. Yet, Werner far from glorifies war or the Nazi's. Instead he takes you on a journey inside the cramped, smelly and often very dangerous U boat. We see how early in the war the U boat was Hitler's most dangerous weapon, up until service on a U boat was almost certain death. We see Werner dealing with friends and family trying to put on an optomistic face when he knows the war is lost. We watch as U boat after U boat is lost and friends are lost along with them. Believe it or not, this is WWII from the human side. An exciting and enlightening ride on an "Iron Coffin."
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Summary: A Claustrophobic Depiction of the Life of U-Boat Submariners
Review: Madness drips like salty water squeezed from the creaking seams of the U-Boat death traps this gripping narrative describes in all-too vivid detail. The author takes you where few can imagine going...and lets you feel the crushing hammers of depth charges and the suffocating terror of impending death. If you want a glimpse into the reality of U-Boat life...or the insanity of war...this is the book. I couldn't put it down.
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Summary: Hope to Hopeless
Review: There are lots of books on the market detailing the facts and figures of the U-Boat war, but few actually dealing with the subject from a first-hand point of view; especially from the German side as most submarinners were killed. Werner's account takes us from him being an ab initio ensign to captain of his own boat and on the periphery it's also easy to see his optimism wain as he is rocketed to command. His account shows vividly the lottery of death as he leaves his first U-boat only to hear of it's destruction 2 months later; survives a collision in his second boat to see another crew perish in identical circumstances shortly after. Onshore the tone of the whole war is related as he describes the halcyon days of France to the realisation that the war is lost. Above all, he achieves his aim, which is to record the U-Boatwaffe as a brave fighting force who, despite the political leadership in Germany, were fighting patriotically for their country and doing the best against all odds.
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Summary: Sub warfare in the North Atlantic, by one who survived.
Review: Herbert Werner with Mr. Beach's help has written one of the most detailed, engrossing naratives of combat that I have ever read. Werner served on U-boats as an officer throughout most of the war, becoming a U-boat commander in '44. Though highly detailed the book reads almost like a novel it is that interesting. His descriptions of depth charge attacks will have you breaking out in a cold sweat. By mid '43 U-boats faced a huge challenge just getting out to open sea. Werner describes his time spent in ports in great detail as well. Overall the book provides the reader with a picture of what WW2 sub warfare is all about and what life as an officer in Hitler's Germany was like. I first read this book over 20 years ago and it is one of those books I can just re-read periodically My initial impression of it's overall excellence still remains. Highly recomended.
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Summary: A Must Read for Everybody
Review: This is the best book I have read about the battle of the Atlantic in WWII. It puts a very human face on the German navy and any average reader can feel what it was like to serve on a U-Boat.
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Summary: The real 'Das Boot'
Review: The movie 'Das Boot' was based on a work of fiction. This book is the story of a real U-Boat commander and it will just blow you away. It's incredible the nerves of steel these guys had. All most every passage had me thinking, 'That is just unbelievable.' This book is a fascinating story of the life of a U-boat commander both on and off the boat. A very interesting views into the mentality of both the German military and people at the time. I can't recommend this book enough. A must for anyone interested in the time period or military history.
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Summary: Perhaps the best WWII submarine book ever written...
Review: Iron Coffins is perhaps the best WWII submarine book ever written. What makes the book interesting is of course Werner's clear narration of his submarine career in the German UnterSeaBootWaffe -- or UnderSea Force. The German perspective makes an interesting angle. From this perspective, you ride the wave of the U-Boat success in the early days, learn the advances made by the Allies in convoy technique and sonar, and sink with the U-Boats in their dark days at the end of the war. Werner's experiences are an incredible metaphor for the entire U-Boat force, and for the entire German armed forces. An incredible 20,000 of 30,000 U-Boat sailors died in WWII. At the end, it was a miracle if 1 U-Boat in 7 returned from a mission. And somehow Werner survived mission after mission. It's an incredible story, and if you a WWII history buff, a submarine buff, this is a great book. I can practically guarantee that once started, you won't put it down until you finish.
Rating: 
Summary: It give you a good feel of what it was like in the U-boats
Review: It is quite a good account of what it was like to be in the u-boats. I did not find it quite as griping as many of the other reviews but I think its very good.
Rating:
Summary: Iron Coffins
Review: The book is excellent. I first read it 20 years ago, and have since re-read it countless times. His willingness to share all about his experiences, aboard the boat, on R&R and with this family, made me feel that I was right alongside him in his experiences. The descriptions of attacking a convoy, and the savage countermeasures that occurred are unforegettable.
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